Chapter 15

Villain Only Acting 015

Jin-Wook Himself (1)

In the end, they decided to rest for only 30 minutes and only make the necessary revisions for the immediate shooting.

And Kim Sang-hee completed the revision work in just 20 minutes.

“It’s done.”

“Already? Wow, as expected of the Word Ferrari. You’re a writing machine, a machine.”

“Mr. Cha Do-jin is performing much better than I expected. His acting has really improved. It’s even better than the last time we worked together.”

“Yeah, I was a bit surprised too.”

“Maybe you’re feeling competitive with Jin-Wook.”

“Oh, there’s plenty to feel competitive about. Who discovered him?”

“Sure, sure. The genius PD, PD Song, discovered him.”

“But what did you revise? It doesn’t look like much has changed.”

“I marked the changed parts.”

“I thought you’d rewrite everything, but you hardly touched it. Still, it’s a relief.”

Because Song Jeong-woo had once rewritten an entire episode’s script just a few hours before airing, his heart had been quite tense.

But it turned out to be less extensive than expected.

“There’s not much to revise in episodes 1 and 2, but the changes will increase as the story progresses. I changed the psychological concept of Joo Jeman.”

“How so?”

“Originally, Joo Jeman firmly believed in Jin-Wook’s innocence until he was betrayed, right?”

“Right. Oh, so that’s it?”

Since Song Jeong-woo understood immediately, Kim Sang-hee was excited to explain.

“Watch Mr. Cha Do-jin’s performance. It’s not obvious on screen, but he starts to harbor doubts. He feels something is off. Still, he decides to trust the client and takes on the case.”

“Hmm, that interpretation could work.”

“When Jin-Wook’s true identity is revealed later, it will be clear that Joo Jeman had his doubts from the beginning.”

“But is it necessary to be so thorough? Most people wouldn’t notice.”

“I’m laying the groundwork so that people will say, ‘He had his suspicions from the start.’ This way, the plot threads will regenerate, and word of mouth will spread.”

Song Jeong-woo nodded silently as he skimmed through the script.

“It’s a good strategy. No wonder I pay you 8,000 per episode.”

“Anyone who hears that might think you’re the station’s CEO.”

As the story unfolds, Joo Jeman’s unease grows, his doubts deepen, and eventually, his unwilling certainty solidifies. That’s when Jin-Wook’s true nature will be revealed.

Kim Sang-hee wants to convey the shock Joo Jeman feels to the audience.

“Oh, this will be a tough act. Mr. Cha Do-jin will have to put in some effort.”

“I believe he can do it. I really do.”

***

The shooting proceeded smoothly, like a supercar racing on the Autobahn.

Whenever the camera rolled, Jung Se-hoon felt a sense of ecstasy, as if he had returned to a place he longed for.

The past situations and backgrounds perfectly matched the drama’s setting, allowing him to fully engage as a soldier after a long time.

He could shout, scold, protest, and express anger.

Everything in the studio became a stage in his memory.

His co-stars, though their faces remained the same, transformed into the characters from his memories—those who oppressed him, helped him, or believed in him.

So he could freely express himself as a soldier.

He wasn’t acting.

He was simply showing his true self, which no one knew.

He didn’t have to suppress the soldier’s heart or endure the discomfort of playing Jung Se-hoon.

It was too easy and too comfortable.

Feeling at ease as if he had returned to his rightful place, Jung Se-hoon let himself go.

***

‘That guy, he’s really come into his own.’

Director Yang Tae-seok kept forgetting to breathe.

It was because of the unknown newcomer.

The camera director is the first viewer to see the raw performance of the actors as it will be presented in the drama.

He had never felt the camera display screen so small and confining.

He wished he could see it on a larger, clearer screen.

Preferably in a state-of-the-art theater with the best screen and sound.

His breathing was involuntary.

Even in parts where no effort was needed, Jung Se-hoon’s acting shone.

As PD Song Jeong-woo had said, it felt like he had really brought out Private Jin-Wook from the drama.

Another scene ended.

Cha Do-jin took a sip of water and caught his breath.

Though not visible on camera, his back was probably drenched in sweat.

‘Cha Do-jin is also putting in a lot of effort today. Is this really going to be a big hit?’

After the era of cable TV began, various channels bombarded living rooms haphazardly.

While 50% or 60% ratings occasionally appeared in the past, now even surpassing 30% is considered a miracle.

The cautious wish of drama producers is, ‘I don’t even hope for 20%, just give us consistent ratings in the teens.’

Cable TV, in particular, has lower ratings compared to terrestrial channels.

Director Yang Tae-seok cautiously predicted, inwardly but not outwardly.

‘The ratings will definitely be in the teens. If we’re lucky, we might even see the twenties.’

The script is good, and the atmosphere on set is warm and friendly.

The smooth shooting speed, like a full-throttle sprint, created a sweet atmosphere.

“Cut. After the break, we’ll move to the outdoor set.”

The indoor shooting was completed about 1 hour and 30 minutes ahead of the expected timeline.

Thanks to the actors’ flawless and inspired performances.

Yang Tae-seok, who had just taken his eyes off the camera display, looked at the actor who had just been Private Jin-Wook.

Unlike Cha Do-jin, who was still immersed in the emotional afterglow, he had instantly shed the shell of Jin-Wook.

‘Good energy. Quick change.’

While the lead is Cha Do-jin, visually and atmospherically, Jung Se-hoon has a slight edge.

Perhaps that’s why Cha Do-jin is putting in even more effort than usual to match him.

Yang Tae-seok suddenly smiled.

‘If we suddenly kill him off in the middle of episode 2, the audience will go wild.’

The idea of killing off such a fresh and talented actor so quickly would make the audience plaster the bulletin boards.

By the time they realize it’s a cunning trap set by the director and writer, they’ll already be hooked on the ratings.

***

The outdoor set was right next to the studio building.

No need for a car; just a short walk from the building.

The staff busily set up the camera, lighting, and tracks.

Though physically tiring, everyone’s expressions were good.

Nothing brightens the set atmosphere more than a smooth shooting process.

Even while running around, everyone’s faces were bright.

Jeong Su-ryeon, while running around, kept an eye on her brother.

Her brother was sitting on a folding chair, arms crossed, eyes closed calmly.

‘Just by the way he sits, you’d think he’s a top star with a decade of experience in the drama industry.’

Among the staff, curiosity, praise, and affection for her brother were mixed.

Listening to the praise for her brother’s looks made her ears tingle.

“Actor Jung Se-hoon, isn’t he really handsome?”

“I think he’s even more handsome than Actor Cha Do-jin.”

“PD Song really likes that kind of face, and his acting is sharp, so it’s like honey is dripping from his eyes.”

“I heard they practically begged a civilian who didn’t want to act to join.”

“Really? Not acting with that face would be a waste of talent. PD Song has saved the nation.”

No matter what, hearing praise for her brother’s looks made her shiver. Can’t they just praise his acting?

Jeong Su-ryeon approached her brother as naturally as possible.

Aware of others’ gazes, she asked in a very low voice.

“Hey, are you doing okay?”

“Didn’t we agree to act like we don’t know each other on set?”

“Yes. Is the acting going well?”

“It’s going well.”

“Do you know that after two more scenes, your shooting will be over? But don’t just leave. If a newcomer does that, it will cause talk. Pretend to study and watch the seniors’ performances until the end. At least try to.”

“I was planning to do that anyway.”

“Short answers? Why are you suddenly acting friendly?”

“No one is listening now.”

“What do you mean?”

“There’s no one nearby. No one will hear us.”

‘Do you have eyes in the back of your head?’

***

Jung Se-hoon didn’t need to stay on set by force.

The final scene was to be shot separately with the second shooting team. PD Song Jeong-woo wouldn’t be there; Assistant Director Kim Hyun-tae would handle it.

The final scene: after a phone call with Joo Jeman on the Han River Bridge, he pretends to jump, staging a suicide.

This is his official last shooting.

Jung Se-hoon stood on the railing with a safety harness.

“Standby, action!”

As the camera started rolling, the scenery seemed to change instantly.

The 1-kilometer-wide Han River disappeared, and a vast sea with rolling waves appeared.

A fortified large island was visible in the distance.

Numerous landing craft